The Momma Clan

“Is your child’s screen time bothering you?”

Well, if the answer is a big “Yes“, then you’re not alone.

Kids’ screen time has become a pressing concern for parents worldwide, who are struggling to find effective ways to limit their child’s screen time and maintain a healthy balance.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average time spent by children on screen is alarming: –

• 8-10 years old: 6 hours 
• 11-14 years old: 9 hours 
• 15-18 years old: 7.5 hours every day, excluding their school-related work. 

Then how much is too much? How to bring healthy balance? How can parents identify and apply this balance effectively in their child’s daily schedule?

Excessive screen time not only impacts children’s physical health but also causes significant stress. Research warns that children who spend excessive time on screens face severe emotional and physical consequences, including sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Excessive screen time takes a devastating toll on children’s mental and physical health. Obesity, sleep disorders and distraction from studies are also a major cause of concern in kids these days.

So, how can parents limit the screen time of their kids?

Here are a few tips and tricks that can be followed:

Parents themselves have to apply, “Practice what you preach” policy. Because a child learns most of the things by watching his or her parents doing it and when a parent doesn’t follow his own instructions then how can a child be expected to follow it.

To truly limit screen time, parents must lead by example. The ‘practice what you preach’ policy is crucial, as children learn by observing their parents’ behavior. When parents don’t follow their own rules, it can be challenging for kids to understand the importance of limiting screen time. By modeling healthy screen time habits, parents can inspire their children to do the same.

In today’s digital age, gadgets have become an essential part of our daily lives. However, by modeling healthy screen time habits themselves, parents can have a profound and lasting impact on their kids. When I say ‘healthy screen time,‘ I mean that parents should also adhere to time limits, demonstrating a balance between technology use and other aspects of life. This approach will help kids develop responsible screen use habits, essential for their physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Secondly, parents should introduce technology free zones in the house and set some rules like : No one will use screens while having meals and the dining area should be gadget free. This way each family member can be directly involved in healthy conversation and this device free communication will bring them closer.

It’s also parents’ responsibility to make kids aware of the side effects of excess screen time, which include poor sleeping habits, sleep deprivation, obesity, and poor academic results. Parents should also encourage kids by rewarding them when they adhere to the rules. Apart from this, parents should think of creative games and ideas that can engage kids and make them forget their gadgets.

While technology and screens have become an integral part of our lives, by adopting balanced screen time habits, parents can mitigate the negative effects of excessive screen time and foster a healthier relationship between their children and technology.

-Arti Mathur